« Con-Text »
Unsigned/Independent
2014
Hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, ONE emerges as an oddity in the realm of extreme, underground Metal. Initially beginning his musical career in 2011, mastermind and sole member, Iain Twiddy, juxtaposes elements of depressive Black Metal with Death Metal and Progressive leanings as well, resulting in a fascinating listen where the songs take unpredictable turns on this year’s first official release, Con-Text. Lyrically pervasive, much of Con-Text focuses on self-realization, one’s role in the universe and the conflict within one’s own psyche. Musically, the songs enthrallingly veer back and forth from lo-fi, depressive Black Metal, similar to Xasthur, to technically progressive Death Metal, which pervades the majority of Con-Text. « Bore to the Soul of an Array of Doubt » and « The Unsettling Neutral » both reveal the depressive side to Twiddy’s musical vision while songs, « Apollo/Dionysus« , « Crimeless Victim » and « You Will Lose » dazzle with whirlwind progressive guitar touches.
What is curious about « Con-Text » is the duality of both styles which co-exist therein. Vocally, the Black Metal songs venture into “static –y” noise, not dissimilar to speaking through a phone, while the Prog styled Death tunes explore a deeper growl. In addition, ONE certainly maintains a solid affinity for the latter on songs, « Ever Becoming » and « Atom-O- Sphere« , which encapsulate a dissonant, dirty, unpolished aural hue, characteristic of the songs overall.
For a debut album, « Con-Text » is an album that will certainly require repeated listens as the ideas aren’t immediate or « easy ». A curiosity in itself, « Con-Text » sways back and forth from two completely different underground styles which may leave one to question if the Blackish tones could’ve been left for another one of Twiddy’s musical outlets? Still, said record never becomes tired or trite, but rather challenges the listener and virtually comes out of « left field ».
Standout Tracks: Apollo/Dionysus, The Unsettling Neutral, Ever Becoming
8/10
Chris
